Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director: Zack Snyder Screenwriter: David S. Goyer Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayalet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, Russell Crowe Release Date: June 14, 2013
Description: Superman takes to the skies once more as Henry Cavill dons the mantle of the Man of Steel - wrestling with a past he can't comprehend and a future he cannot escape. With an all-star cast that includes Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Clark's earthbound parents; Oscar winner Russell Crowe as Superman's Kryptonian father; Amy Adams as Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane; Laurence Fishburne as editor Perry White; and Michael Shannon as Superman's otherworldly archenemy General Zod, the sky's the limit for the last son of Krypton. Alive with the directorial stylings of 300's Zack Snyder and the production team behind Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel offers up an entirely new Superman: alienated, misunderstood, but forever a beacon of hope for all humanity.
When Man of Steel was first announced, I was skeptical based on recent history. Superman Returns had not been a major success on the big screen. DC Comics was also undergoing a major revamp of their mainstream universe. Dubbed "The New 52," changes were underway, and horror of horrors, Superman now sported an armor-like suit without the signature red shorts (among other changes). He no longer seemed to be the archetypal hero embedded in Western cultural consciousness. But could Man of Steel help change that and get Superman back to basics?
As promotional pictures of the costumes rolled out, knee-jerk reactions ranged from "why is it so dark?" to "where's the yellow on the symbol?" and other minor complaints. No one denied the Superman franchise needed a reboot, but what kind of reboot would this be? And, of course, the perennial question arose: "do we really need another origin story?"
When the first teaser trailers for Man of Steel appeared, I felt cold. It resembled the Superman: Birthright comic, and that blue-hued, washed-out, gritty-real aesthetic seemed off. Superman wasn't meant to brood like Batman. I didn't even bother keeping track of cast announcements. Then the extended trailers came, narrated by both Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and Pa Kent (Kevin Costner), and I realized how much I needed a Superman movie. Hope, an ideal: Superman being, quite simply, good.
My expectations tripled and, thankfully, Man of Steel met nearly all of them.
The trailers gave me the impression that this movie would embody what Superman embodies: goodness, wonder, hope, and - even before knowing his true heritage - heroism. And, of course, legacy. Krypton's legacy is that of a doomed planet, though the movie expands on the reasons. It is no longer an off-planet Golden Age, but a cautionary tale Earth could heed. Man of Steel opens in full sci-fi glory, with a Krypton that is refreshingly believable. Familiar yet distinctly alien.
Krypton is not just another Earth with different clothing. Russell Crowe (as Jor-El) admirably sets the tone from the start, and we are introduced to the planet's multiple sights, including winged creatures, massive sci-fi ships and elaborately designed space armor. It's an extended look at Krypton that we've never really gotten before, and giving us this time with Jor-El helps the film establish some of its key themes.
This story is about legacy and fathers, as the trailers suggested. But it is also about nurture and mothers. We see Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van (Ayelet Zurer) placing little Kal-El in the escape ship, and Superman's sense of purpose is closely linked to both Jor-El and the lessons from Jonathan Kent, excellently portrayed by Kevin Costner. We also see the vital influence of mothers.
Martha Kent's (Diane Lane) moments with Clark across the years are some of the most touching, keeping him grounded as a Kansas farmboy even after he dons the suit. There's one scene where she needs to help calm a yoyung Clark down during a panic attack concerning his burgeoning powers and it's arguably the film's best moment. Lara Lor-Van's courage is equally impressive; she is not a dutiful wife following her husband's plans but an active participant, executing them with conviction.
Then there's Lois Lane. Sure, there are cosmetic changes: Amy Adams' Lois is a redhead, wears jeans, carries a camera, and is not a damsel in distress. She scales cliff faces, navigates enemy territory (guided by a certain AI, one of the best scenes), and becomes the steadying presence Clark can rely on. She proves to be a good, inquisitive, calming counter to Superman.
The villains aren't half bad either. Antje Traue's Faora is a formidable counterpoint to Adams' Lois and leaves quite the imppression despite the limited development and screen time. There's also minor characters like Colonel Nathan Hardy (Christopher Meloni) and Dr. Emil Hamilton (Richard Schiff) who help build out the Man of Steel's world even though they don't get a lot of screen times. Michael Shannon as General Zod is fearsome and threatening from the start, yet still conveys an element of tragedy and proves to be a great counter to Superman, both physically and thematically.
The fight scenes are spectacular. I'm no expert in Kryptonian physiology relative to yellow sun radiation, but the movie conveys it convincingly. Kryptonians' movement, strength, and agility are thrilling, and even without traditional 'Kryptonite,' heroes and villains have vulnerabilities, enhancing the tension. Some visuals during Zod's attack echo War of the Worlds or apocalyptic films, but considering entire worlds are destroyed, it's forgivable.
I'm uncertain about a few character deaths, especially for those familiar with the DCAU (Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited), but this is a Superman world where tough choices and sacrifices are inevitable. Henry Cavill portrays Clark Kent and Kal-El superbly, balancing humility and heroism, and looks like the world's greatest hero rippped right from the page.
Did this movie give me what I hoped for? Yes, definitely. But your mileage may vary. This is not a comic-book movie with snappy dialogue and bright, poppy visuals. Those expecting that may be disappointed. It blends sci-fi, drama, and action, and is aptly titled without using the hero's trademark name. However, Man of Steel is a little too dark and cold for a film focused on Superman, who's supposed to be this warm, welcoming person who lifts up everyone by believing in the best of humanity.
Man of Steel is a Superman movie like none other, and cuts straight to plot-driven action while keeping exposition minimal or visually-based. The pacing occasionally lags, but only if you expect constant spectacle. The narrative isn't strictly linear, but the flashbacks integrate thematically, creating an emotional journey that resonates with both child and parent. Man of Steel is as much about the man as it is about the steel. This movie doesn't get Superman back to basics, but instead reinvents and updates him for modern audiences.
I give it a solid 7.5/10 and will definitely watch it again.
Sarah Ann-Lee is a regular contributor to The World's Finest. Review written in 2013.
Bonus:
Did you know a series of special tie-in comics were created for Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Click here to check them all out!
